Photovoltaic electricity potential

What is global photovoltaic power potential by country?

The World Bank has published the study Global Photovoltaic Power Potential by Country, which provides an aggregated and harmonized view on solar resource and the potential for development of utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) power plants from the perspective of countries and regions.

What is a theoretical solar PV potential?

The long-term energy content of the solar resource available at a certain location defines the theoret-ical solar PV potential (Chapter 2.3). For PV technology, the energy content is well quantified by the physical variable of global horizontal irradiation (GHI).

Is solar PV a good source of electricity?

The potential for clean, carbon-free electricity generation from solar photovoltaic (PV) sources in most countries dwarfs their current electricity demand. Around 20% of the global population lives in 70 countries boasting excellent conditions for solar PV.

What is the difference between a photovoltaic and a concentrated solar power system?

Photovoltaic (PV) systems use solar panels, either on rooftops or in ground-mounted solar farms, converting sunlight directly into electric power. Concentrated solar power (CSP, also known as "concentrated solar thermal") plants use solar thermal energy to make steam, that is thereafter converted into electricity by a turbine.

Is there a difference between solar potential and practical potential?

Perhaps surprisingly, the difference in average practical potential between countries with the highest potential (e.g. Namibia) and the lowest (e.g. Ireland) is slightly less than a factor of two. In total, 93% of the global population lives in countries that have an average daily solar PV potential between 3.0 and 5.0 kWh/kWp.

Does solar power have economic potential?

As seen earlier (Figure 2.1), the economic potential of solar PV power does not consider the market poten-tial, which is site specific due to land costs, grid infrastructure, logistics, legal, and political framework.